Artificial limb



' 16i7,926 15 1927' G. H; SHRODES ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed March 29, 1926 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a. H. SHRQDES ARTIFICIAL LIME Feb 15 ,19 27. 1,617,926

Filed March 29, 1926 2 Shah-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 1 5, 1927.

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enonen' HAMILTON snnonns, or nos ANQELES, camroanm.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Application filed March 29, 1926.

My invention relates to improvements in the lower portion of the leg and includes the foot and is specially found in the manner that the foot is connected to the leg. The object thereof is to produce simple and eflicient parts which will function as do the natural parts which they replace and which, in case a part needs replacement, such repair may be done by an unskilled workman.

In the drawings forming a part of this application, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved limb from the knee down. Fig. 2 is a side view of the foot and ankle portions ofliig. 1 with a portion of the foot and ankle in central vertical section. Fig. 3 is a top plan of the leg portion of Fig. 1, the foot portion being omitted. Figs. 1-5 and 6 are enlarged details (parts being in section) of the ankle portions.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is the top band. 11 and 12 are strengthening bands placed at suitable distances between the top band and the ankle casting 13. Casting 13 and bands 1011 and 12 are connected by thin steel strips 1 1 which are united thereto by rivets or by other suitable means and togetherform the contour of the portion of the leg between the ankle and knee. The length and number of these strips and bands being determined by the shape of the limb that is replaced thereby. The most important part of my invention is in what I term the ankle joint. This joint is partly formed by casting 13 which is a hollow casting,

the rear portion of which represents the 0s calcis or top of the-heel and the front portion represents a portion ofthe astragalus or instep. The bottom 13 of casting 13 is closed by a thin wall which has a transverse enlargement positioned centrally of the top of the casting. This enlargement is bored for the reception of a hollow bearing bolt 15, thebore of which is interiorly threaded at the ends for the reception of lag screws 16 which pass through the U shaped connector plate 17 thereby connecting plate 17 to bottom 13. The cen- 'tral portion of bolt is preferably reduced in size to secure lightness and also to provide a chamber 18 around the same to hold a lubricant. A port 19 in bolt 15 connects the bore of the bolt with chamber 18 so that by taking out one of the lag screws the chamber can be filled with lu Serial No. 98,103.

bricant. A foot member 20 made of any suitable material, preferably of light strong wood has a recess 21 in the rear portionv 22, the outer ends of which engage the bot tom of casting 13 and normally hold the leg member at right angles to the plane that passes through the sole of the foot member. In the drawings, I have shown this spring made of two sections so that in case any part of the spring should break, a half leaf could be used to replace the broken part. Spring 22 is secured to the foot member by screws ..3 and 24. Screws 2 1 also pass through plate 17 and secure it to the foot member. By this construction when the user places his heel on the ground in walk ing, the rear portion of spring 22 yields and no shock is produced. As he throws his body forward the front end of spring 22 yields, thus giving the foot member the same motion asis produced in the natural foot in walking.

The leg section has the conventional means to attach the same to the leg, the same not being shown as a part of my invention. The leg section has the knee bar 25 to which the attaching means is hingedly connected.

While I have shown the construction of leg member that I prefer, any other con struction may be used providing it terminates in the upper part of my ankle construction.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of a lower leg memher with a foot member pivotally connected to the leg member for foot motion; and a curved leaf spring secured intermediate its ends to the foot member and having the ends detachably engaging the bottom of the leg member to normally hold the same at right angles to the plane of the sole of the foot member. 1

2. The combination of a lower leg member tern'iinating in hollow casting, said casting having a configuration of the human ankle and having the bottom closed by a plate, said plate having a centra transverse enlargement with a bore therethrough; a hoilow bolt extending through said bore and having a reduced central portion with a port therein, said bolt being interiorly threaded at the ends; with a foot member having a recess in the rear portion; a curved leaf spring secured to said foot portion, the ends of which engage the bot-tom of the leg casting and holds the leg member 5 at right angles to the plane of the sole, a U-shaped plate secured to said foot portion, the upper members of which are pierced,

and lag screws passing through said pierced ends and engaging in threaded contact with the bolt chambered in the casting.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 18th day of March, 1926.

GEORGE HAMILTON SHRODES. 

